DARREN Gough will miss the England tour to India and that is likely to rule him out of next spring's tour to New Zealand next spring....

DARREN Gough will miss the England tour to India and that is likely to rule him out of next spring's tour to New Zealand next spring.

The Yorkshire paceman wants a rest but England's management insist only players who face India in the Test series before Christmas will be considered for the Tests against the Kiwis in March.

"The management and I have agreed to disagree," Gough told The News Of The World. "I don't see why I can't go to New Zealand for the Tests after missing the India series. They feel differently and they call the shots."

Gough is a victim of the ECB's decision to only offer two winter contracts. The first takes in the Tests in India later this year and the New Zealand Tests in March and April.

The second covers the two five-match one-day series in India and New Zealand in January and February.

The ECB insist they will not split the Test contracts - so because Gough wants to miss India, they will not take him to New Zealand.

"I'm not going to attack the board. That wouldn't be a sensible career move. Let's just say, I'm more than a little disappointed that it's come to this."

"I want to continue to play for England at Test and one-day level through to the next Ashes and World Cup.

"To do that I need a decent break and I've decided to stay at home for the rest of the year. That's my decision.

"It's a simple choice. Do I keep going until I break down or am exhausted? Or do I take a break now in the hope being around for the next 18 months?

"I'm happy to be part of the one-day squad this winter in India and New Zealand. I hope the selectors still want me.

"I was prepared to miss three in India to ensure my future fitness. Now it looks like I will miss another three in New Zealand.

"If that's the price that has to be paid, so be it. There's always a danger in giving someone else your Test spot. You might never get it back. But look how well Thorpey performed after he took a winter off."

"Apart from being injured during the 1999 New Zealand home series, I've not missed an England one-dayer or Test since the start of the 1998 summer.

"It's begun to take its toll. I'm looking weary. Friends have been saying how tired I look in recent weeks.

"I know there will be those who think I should never play for England again. That's up to them. Any time you miss a tour, you put your England place in jeopardy.

"I'm sure others will say I shouldn't get a England central contract next summer. Again, that's not up to me. I can't make it any plainer. I am available for England from January 1, 2002."